Katy Nike Classic passes expectations

Mansfield Timberview came to town for the Katy Nike Classic and gave me everything I expected and then some as they came, they saw, they conquered on their way to winning the championship. Along the way, Cy Ranch showed this, yes they are a legitimate contender for not only an area title but when it’s a one game playoff, you just never know how this play out. With that being said, North Shore almost made it to the finals, bowing to Cy Ranch in the semifinals.

First Timberview, they are explosive as I thought, well even more so now as I had a chance to see them up close this season. Lili Thompson was named MVP of the tournament and although she wasn’t among the leading scorers the first part of the event, she dropped 20 in the championship. Her defense and the ability to hit big shots along with making big plays gave a glimpse on why she’s headed to Stanford. Terriell Bradley and Jalea Bennett were among the top scorers throughout the tournament and even though Bennet didn’t score in double figures the championship game, she was virtually unstoppable inside, outside or even way outside.

Speaking of way outside, Bradley has range that probably starts somewhere around the concession stand. She’s expanded what impressed me about her the first time I saw her as she can get others involved or take over when needed. Daya Olabode at 6’2 gives the Wolves that inside presence as she was very serviceable on both ends of the floor and Aurmani DeGar showed me not only what I heard she was doing prior to her injury but gave me this eerie feeling on how loaded the Timberview arsenal will be once she’s 100%. You can’t have too many scorers and DeGar can definitely do that.

Cy Ranch was on my preseason list so, GO GPR, and whatever they accomplish during the season will not surprise me one bit. Another thing that doesn’t surprise me is they have different players stepping up at various times and the player I projected to be “one of the girls” when I first saw her back in the sixth grade, Sydney Coleman, showed in the championship game what I’ve said she should be able to do for a long time as she matched Timberview’s Thompson with 20.

How about one of my 2013 “Under The Radar” players Ashlyn Wiemann going completely off in the event putting up double digits in every game and playing lock down defense along the way. I said Bradley’s range was from the concession stand, well Wiemann is standing next to her as she nailed several back breakers and momentum changers throughout the event. Kristen Kech is another long ball threat and she showed it helping Cy Ranch reach the finals, even Ashley O’Block came off the bench to give the Mustangs their version of last season’s Cy Falls “Bomb Squad”.

Meia Rachall, Sabriyyah Fennel and Kara Zetar brought excitement when I saw “The Ranch” win SBISD, nothing has changed as they compoliment each other so well and speaking of nothing changing, Cienna Rivera doesn’t get the credit she deserves for whatever political reasons however the game starts at the one, she’s the one and as President Clinton said, “it’s math”. Okay maybe that doesn’t apply but the pressure she is bringing on both ends does, not to mention the fact that she scored when she had to but she also had double digit assists in three of the last four games.